Headlight for vehicles.



B. A. HOPPER.

HEADLIGHT FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED N 0v.2I. 1914.

Patented June 15 1915.

3mm 5. A- H UPPER.

UNITED sTAa as PATENT OFFICE.

BERT ALFORD HOPPER, OF BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE'HALF TO ROLAND MILLER FRAN'IZ, OF BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

HEADLIGHT FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1915.

Application filed November 21, 1914. Serial No. 873,357.

useful Improvements in Headlights for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompany-- ing drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in headlights for vehicles and more'particularly to an automatic headlight control, the main ob ject of the present invention being the-provision of a construction and arrangement of headlights for automobiles and vehicles of a like character, whereby the headlights are turned automatically in accordance with the angle taken by the front steering wheels of the machine, thereby causing the rays of light from the lamps to be directed in the course to be followed by the machine, in accordance with the position of the steering wheels. This insures the illumination of that part of the roadway which is being approached and which is tobe traveled over, and is much more satisfactory than the present arrangement in which the headlights are fastened in fixed position on the frame or chassis of the machine.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the above character which will possess advantages in points of clliciency and durability, is inexpensive to manufacture and, at the same time, is simple in construction and operation.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to, and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claim.

Figure 1 is a front elevation illustrating a steel-in apparatus constructed in accord ance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view illustrating parts thereof in horizontal section; and Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view illustrating the manner of securing the yoke to the steering rod.

Referring more particularly to the drawings 2 indicates the front wheels which are secured to the front axle by means of conventional knuckles. Extending laterally from the knuckles are the arms 3, the outer ends of which are pivotally connected to the transverse rod 5 of the steering mechanism. Mounted upon the steering rod, is the yoke member 6, the lower ends of whicliare arranged in spaced relation and are bolted or otherwise secured to the steering rod.

Mounted upon the upper central portion of the'yoke 6, is a bearing block 7 h'avinga I central bore 8 extending therein, the pose of which will be hereinafter more ullv set forth. P

Mounted upon the vehicle springs 9 and extending inwardly are the casings 10 which are adapted to contain the gears 11 mounted upon the lower ends of the lamp stamiards 12.- Extending longitudinally between the easlugs 10, is a bar 13, the ends of which are provided with a plurality of teeth 14 adapted for engagement with the gear 11 whereby to rotate said gears and the lamp supports upon reciprocating movement of the bar 13. Extending downwardly from the bar 13, is a pivot rod 15, said rod extending through a transverse opening formed in thecross head 16 whereby the rod 15 will be loosely mounted within the cross head 16 so that the movement of the bar 1311p and down will not interfere with the steering mechanism.

F or'med integral with the .headlti and extending outwardly, is a pin.17.i which s5 is adapted to project into the central bore formed in themembcr 7 whereby tomovably connect the cross head with the member 7, 7 so that upon oscillating movement of the steering rod 5, the lamp standards 12 will be rotated through the medium of the bar 13 and the connections between the bar and the yoke 6.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a simple and durable device whereby the lam standards known form of motor vehicle or removed, desired. It will also be noted that my 2.1'6 mounted upon the forwar springs of. a 'e hicle and are so connected with the steerin rod of the vehicle that the lfnnp standar sproved steering apparatus can be manufac fllo steering rod, a yoke mounted thereon, a block supported at the upper end of the yoke, having a central bore therein, lamp supports arranged in spaced relation upon opposite sides of the yoke, gears carried by the supports, a bar having teeth upon each end adapted to engage with the gears, a cross head, means forming a movable connection between the cross head and the bar, a pin carried by the cross head and adapted to be inserted within the bore of the block whereby the lamp supports Will be rotated upon the actuation of the steering rod.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

BERT ALFORD HOPPER.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR J. MARTZ, R. M. FRANTZ. 

